Escapism and Excessive Online Behaviors

A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study in Finland during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15513699
AutoresHannu Jouhki (0000-0001-8361-5980, Tampere University, autor correspondente), Iina Savolainen (0000-0002-8811-965X, Tampere University), Anu Sirola (0000-0003-2195-8114, University of Jyväskylä), Atte Oksanen (0000-0003-4143-5580, Tampere University, autor correspondente)
Ano2022
Volume19
Fascículo19
Páginas12491-12491
Data de publicação2022-09-30
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditoraMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph191912491
PMID36231799
OpenAlexW4303685964
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas14
Referências citadas70

Excessive online behaviors refer to harmful or disproportionate use of digital network applications. Such behaviors are likely to be associated with escapist motives. Our aim was to analyze whether escapism predicts excessive gambling, excessive gaming, and excessive internet use over time. A longitudinal sample of Finnish residents aged 18-75 years ( n = 1022, 51.27% male) was surveyed at three time points during the COVID-19 pandemic in 6-month intervals: April 2021 (Time 1), October-November 2021 (Time 2), and April-May 2022 (Time 3). Of the original Time 1 respondents, 66.80% took part in the surveys at both Time 2 and Time 3. All surveys included measures for excessive gambling (Problem Gambling Severity Index), excessive gaming (Internet Gaming Disorder Test), and excessive internet use (Compulsive Internet Use Scale). Three escapism-specific questions were used to construct a dedicated escapism variable. Socio-demographic variables, alcohol consumption, and psychological distress were used as controls. The study was conducted with multilevel regression analyses using hybrid models. Our research showed that escapism had strong within-person effects on excessive gambling, B = 0.18, p = 0.003; excessive gaming, B = 0.50, p p p p = 0.036. Adverse societal events and uncertain times can manifest in excessive online behaviors motivated by escapism, highlighting a need to focus prevention efforts on healthy coping methods

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Escapism · Longitudinal study · Pandemic · The Internet · Clinical Psychology · Gambling Behavior and Treatments · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Medicine · Mind wandering and attention · Psychology · Social Psychology · Internal Medicine